Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We have taken our 2013 Honda Odyssey several times to the shop because the brakes don't feel safe. They seem to work fine but the brakes pedal is spongy. Keeping the brake pedal slightly pressed with the engine running, the pedal continues to sink almost to the floor. So far we have spent over $1000 for a new brake booster, new master cylinder, brake fluid flush and brake bleeding. The shop bled the brakes several times, manual and computer bleeding but the brakes are still spongy.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but they failed to stop the vehicle. The contact lost control and crashed into five vehicles. The contact sustained chest and neck injuries and nose bleeding that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a police lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 205,000.
I was in a parking lot going less than 5 miles an hour and was turning right into a parking space. My foot was on the brake, but the car lurched forward and accelerated over the cement chock block, hitting a pole in front of the store.
We bought this vehicle brand new - single owner car equiped with genuine Honda parts. The front rotors quickly and prematurely ware down causing severe braking and steering issues, mainly hard vibrations of the steering wheel and it feels like the whole car shakes and you could easily lose control if not having both hands on the steering wheel. The problem usually occurs or is most noticeable during longer road trips (after ~120 miles) once the rotors are hot and the degree of the problem is definitely worse as you drive down (decline) or up (incline) and it does not subside rather gets worse if pressure is applied to brakes going down hill. Rotors should last much longer than 16K miles. We are cautious, safe drivers and have not put a lot of miles on this car and drive mostly highway and interstate roads. …
The brake rotors have warped very severely at less than 20K miles of light to normal brake usage. When braking from highway speeds the steering wheel shakes very hard and has surprised my wife who became very concerned for her and our three children's safety. Honda dealers already know of the substandard brake rotors ability to warp so quickly. All they want to do is put them in a lathe and turn/ smooth them. This is a very short term fix as I have read over and over. Yes, the shaking goes away for a short time but returns quickly, as the underlying cause ( inferior rotor) is not addressed. As for being a safety issue I would think that brake rotors as well as any other parts of the brake system should a big concern, we are not talking about weather stripping, seals or paint quality etc, this is the system that is used every time we want to stop! …
While driving in the mountains of colorado while on vacation our steering wheel was violently shaking and vibrating while braking downhill. This was very scary for our family from illinois to experience. We scheduled immediate repairs at the shop nearest us on 6/22/2015 with 36,206 miles on our Honda Odyssey. We had new rotors on front and rear replaced and front brakes $685. Unfortunately, while on a road trip to see family in michigan we again experienced shaking of the steering wheel upon braking. On 12/2/2016 57,428 miles we again had to pay for rear rotors and brakes. We have never experienced the frequency of repairs (we trust our repair guy) in any of our other vehicles (fords and chevys). Our van is usually driven around town with kid's activities. Expressway and high speed driving is limited. This is our first Honda. …
My brakes vibrate when slowing down on the freeway, occasionally while driving on surface streets when slowing down for lights. I first noticed this several months after purchase. I took the van in asked for the brakes to be checked. The vibrating stopped for several weeks then started back up. I returned to the dealership and they checked the tires. It stopped again for several weeks then started back up again. I took the van in and asked for the rotors to be turned. That again helped for a few weeks and the vibrating returned. It is frustrating and scary to feel the vibration in my steering wheel and if I brake hard to feel the van pull to the right. I have explained this problem to the service technician but there seems to be nothing they can do to fix this problem. I complain about it but cannot afford to continue to take it in and get no satisfactory repairs. …
I was inside the vehicle at the back seat, vehicle was stationary on park, and foot break was on. I was on my sister in laws driveway which is slightly inclined, I was waiting for my husband who went inside the house, however I decided to follow him. I went out of the vehicle, and went to open the driver's side door to reach the key and turn off the vehicle; unfortunately, when I turned off the engine, the vehicle starts rolling, I was knocked down by the opened door and fell on the driveway, with my left leg/ more on the ankle area was run over by the front wheel. These resulted with severe bruise on my ankle, and huge bump on my head. There was no witness, however there was a car that passed and I I asked for help, the driver called by husband who is inside the house, also a neighbor came to help and called 911. …
We purchased a 2013 Honda Odyssey exl 1 year ago (7/18/16). We immediately experienced excessive vibration of the steering wheel while driving, and also braking at highway speeds. The dealer replaced the front tires about 4 months out to correct the problem. I didn't work. We asked them to consider the rotors as the issue, but they were reluctant since they were just resurfaced them before we bought the vehicle. Eventually, they did agree, and all four rotors needed resurfacing. The service dept told us our 8 month old tires had wear beyond the normal amount, and suggested it was probably caused by the vibration problems. We're getting another set of tires from the dealer, but are concerned that we will soon be having to resurface the rotors again based on the history I've already spoken of here, and other complaints that have been filed. …
Original owner of 2013 Honda Odyssey, noticed significant steering wheel vibration at 35K miles while going down or at highway speeds while slowing down unexpectedly. It made me grab the steering wheel harder to try to steady the wheels so we don't drive off the cliff. I believe it poses a danger as it creates a situation where such steering wheel vibration and tires vibration can cause a dangerous situation in which the control over vehicle could be lost along with lives of those in the car. I have just replaced the tires, which was not the cause of the vibration. The car is in good standing as all recommended services were completed timely. When contacted the local Honda dealer, they said that rotors needs to be resurfaced. But as I am reading on this site and others, this could be an endless and expensive recurrent service. …
Brake complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Honda Odyssey, 26% of the model year's 210 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Odyssey brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Honda Odyssey, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Odyssey brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.